Flick before Alavés: 'Kane deserved it' but Lamine is at Ballon d'Or level, a centre-back 'maybe' in January and a defensive crisis

Hansi Flick spoke on Friday 30 October before Barcelona's LaLiga game against Alavés on Saturday 31 October at 21:00 CET (20:00 UK / 04:00 Sunday Beijing). After back-to-back defeats to PSG and Real Madrid, here is what he said.

"A lot of defenders"

Flick did not hide the scale of the problem at the back. "Jules, Xavi Espart, Dani Olmo, Eric, Christensen… are all out. A lot of defenders."

Out	Position
Jules Koundé	Right-back / centre-back
Eric García	Centre-back
Andreas Christensen	Centre-back
Xavi Espart	Full-back
Dani Olmo	Midfield

His possible solutions:

• Frenkie de Jong at centre-back: "Frenkie can play in different positions. He can play centre-back." On his form: "When he's at 100%, he's an incredible player."
• Brian Fariñas: "Farinas is an option to play as a full-back." He has not played a first-team minute this season.
• Ebrima Tunkara: "He's coming back from injury, but he's played minutes with Barça Atlètic."

A centre-back in January?

With so many injuries, Flick was asked about a signing. "If we can, maybe we will," he said, adding: "We have a few weeks left before the transfer window opens." He said he had spoken with the president and sporting director Deco: "It's great."

Lamine and the Ballon d'Or

Lamine Yamal finished third in the Ballon d'Or, which Harry Kane won — see Kane wins the Ballon d'Or. Flick was clear on both: "Kane deserved it. You know my opinion of Lamine; he's at the level to win this award."

On how Lamine took it: "He reacted very well, in my opinion. In training, he was focused." He also praised Pau Cubarsí, whom Lamine had singled out for praise: "Cubarsí played an incredible season and had an excellent World Cup."

Raphinha and Balde

On Raphinha, the captain, and his Brazil call-up for the November internationals: "I know Rapha is captain here, but he's also Brazilian, and when his national team calls him up, he's there. For me, if we can manage his playing time a bit, I'll be happy."

On Alejandro Balde he was unusually frank: "Balde doesn't have the confidence he needs to play, the conviction to attack and press high."

The context

Start of season	Eleven straight wins
Last two games	Lost to PSG (Champions League) and Real Madrid (LaLiga)
LaLiga position	Top, three points ahead of Real Madrid
Next three games	Alavés (H), Aston Villa (H, Champions League), Atlético (A)

The squad held a private team meal this week to reset — see our Barcelona v Alavés preview. Real Madrid, three points behind, play at Racing on Sunday — preview.

FAQ

Who is injured for Barcelona against Alavés? Jules Koundé, Eric García, Andreas Christensen, Xavi Espart and Dani Olmo, according to Flick.

Will Barcelona sign a centre-back in January? Flick said: "If we can, maybe we will."

What did Flick say about Lamine Yamal and the Ballon d'Or? That Kane deserved it, but Lamine "is at the level to win this award". Lamine finished third.

Can Frenkie de Jong play centre-back? Flick said he can, and it is one of the options with so many defenders out.